Courtesy of NOVA

By: Traci J. Medlock
Editor-in-Chief

Northern Virginia Community College stands as one of the most well respected two-year colleges in the nation. With over 80,000 students spread out over six campuses and three learning centers, NOVA boasts about their flexibility and convenience to allow anyone to receive an education.

So how are the students who are involved in their community and want a more rigorous academic experience going to separate themselves from being just one in the thousands of students also looking to transfer to another college?

The answer in the Honors Program at NOVA, if you ask student Matthew Ioli.

The 26-year-old Long Island native came down to Northern Virginia to help with a family illness, but quickly realized the chance to attend NOVA was one he didn’t want to pass up.

“I was always open to the idea of school, I just didn’t know the way,” he explained. “But the opportunity came up, and I couldn’t turn it down. I turned it down when I was 18 because I wanted a social life, but at 26 years old, it wasn’t party time any more.”

After studying for a month, Ioli took his placement tests and, after looking at the results, realized he was eligible to take honors courses. As someone who stopped attending college in his first semester, Ioli took the results of the test as a sign of progress and committed himself to an educational transformation, beginning by surrounding himself with driven students who would hold themselves and him accountable in their academics.

“I’m so fascinated with these kids because at 18 years old… these guys are seriously motivated to better themselves. ” Ioli said. “I can’t even say I’m jealous, because I’m not, I’m astounded.”
Some critics might call the Honors Program an elite society, but Ioli quickly clarifies that there is a place for all students in the program.

“Yes, it’s all about being a leader, but some leaders need to be shaped,” Ioli said, “and by being around leaders, the person who’s following doesn’t get lost, because they know what direction to walk in.”

Ioli’s positive experience in the Honors Program is no accident. Over the past 10 years, the Honors Program at NOVA has been shifting and solidifying into the robust program it now is, under the watchful eye of College Honors Coordinator Stacy Rice. Now in her fourth year serving as the college-wide coordinator, she has worked tirelessly to create a program that could be implemented as a standard for all campuses.

“Over the last three years, we have built what we now argue is a more cohesive program,” Rice said. Now, all students in the Honors Program are required to take 18 credits, spread out over a variety of core disciplines like English, Science and Fine Arts. Some students, like Ioli, also have chosen to take what are called Honors Options where they sign up for a regular course and also complete the “REAL” (Research, Enrichment activities, Academic rigor and Leadership) Honors components in those classes through additional assignments to receive Honors credit.

Ioli, who is taking the Honors Option for Economics, said he is gaining “real life experience” thanks to an extra project he’s doing to meet the REAL standard. Extra research without the teacher’s aid has allowed him to “get his hands dirty” and figure out what happens in economic situations, experimenting with changing variables. “It gives you the… out of classroom experience that you don’t always get just showing up to class.”

So why would any student decide to participate in the Honors Program, when it increases your workload?

“There are so many personal, as well as academic, opportunities for them by joining the program,” Rice said. “Field trips, study abroad, step-up to a four-year university, letters of recommendation, [and] getting them involved in the campus and community.” Additionally, smaller classrooms lead to stronger relationships between the students, and more one-on-one time with the professor. The classes push students to think critically, challenging principles that are in the standard curriculum.

Rice added they are also working on internships, and are currently solidifying an agreement with Virginia Tech so that graduates of NOVA’s Honors Program will, after acceptance to the university, transfer in six credits into Tech’s Honors University. They also have separate dorms and scholarships for Honors students.

“We know how awesome our students are,” Rice said, “but it’s so nice to hear Virginia Tech say ‘we want your students.’”

Though the Honors Program has made significant progress from where it started, there are still areas Rice thinks the Program can grow.

“There are many things we’re working to improve,” said Rice. “Tracking is one, student placement agreements with four-year institutions… possible internships.” Rice added sometimes Honors classes would get cancelled due to a small enrollment, because of the college’s need for full classes. “We really need to have a little more autonomy as a program. The program needs consistency and rapport and a reputation on the campus. If we were our own separate entity, more like an Honors College, we would have a little more flexibility with number of students per class.”

However, Rice said she was thankful for all the support of the faculty and staff, and that without their help the program wouldn’t be where it was today. “I have the absolute best team,” Rice stated. “People give me credit – I don’t deserve credit.”

Despite the areas in which the Program can continue to expand and improve, Rice said she felt all students should get involved in Honors and experience what the Honors Program has to offer.

“My question is: why wouldn’t you want to do Honors? To build a community of learners, to have a closer relationship with your faculty and advisors? Study abroad opportunities and the ability to get scholarships?” Rice said. “Why wouldn’t you do it?”

By: Traci J. Brooks

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